Folding coop



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. E. MARQUIS. FOLDING COOP.

No. 482,644. Patented Sept. 13, 1892.

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,2 t e e h S s t e e h S 2 m Um R G A M D M B u a d 0 M W No. 482,644.Patented Sept. 13, 1892.

Witweooay f/wl WM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH E. MARQUIS, OF UTLEY, OHIO.

FOLDING COOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 482,644, datedSeptember 13,1892.

Application filed April 30, 1892. Serial No. 431,277. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH E. MARQUIS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Utley, in the county of Athens and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Coops; and I dodeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, whichform a part of this specification.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a plan view of the invention. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of same. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section. Fig.4. is a view of the coop in folded position. Fig. 5 is a perspectiveview of wire F, and Fig. 6 is a similar view of wire D.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements inpoultry-coops, the object being to provide a coop especially adapted forthe transportation of poultry to market, being so constructed that whenempty it may be quickly folded into neat and compact form, occupying buta small space.

WVith this object in view the invention consists in the novelconstruction and combination of parts, all as hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the bottom of thecoop, which preferably consists of a thin rectangular piece of boardreinforced at its lateral edges by longitudinal strips on or, also bycross battens or cleats b on its under side, at the ends, and centralportion.

B designates the top of the coop, which consists of a series oflongitudinal parallel strips 0 of a length equal to that of the bottom Aand spaced from each other on end wires or rods O, and a series oftransverse parallel wires D. Said wires D are each of angular form,having the horizontal portion d, which passes loosely through holes inthe strips 0 and the parallel side arms E E at right angles to theportion (1. Said wires are set at sufficientlyshort intervals, so thattheir horizontal portions (1 with the strips 0 form a sufficientlyclosetop to prevent the escape of the fowls. The arms E form the sides of thecoop, and at the lower end each wire is turned inwardly to form theshort arms 6 e, which loosely engage apertures in the sidestrips a a ofthe bottom.

F F are the ends of the coop, and consist each of a series of wires bentinto elongated U shape, the upper ends ofthe side portions:

having eyes or loops f, which loosely engage the end wires or rods 0 ofthe top portion. The bend or bow f of each wire is loosely journaled insmall staples y in the bottom piece. It will therefore be apparent thatthe top portion is capable of an endwise parallel movement in eitherdirection, similar to that of parallel-rule folding in close relationwith the bottom, as shown in Fig. 4, the folded structure being ofslightly greater length than the upright, but of slight thickness, sothat several may be piled upon each other without occupying as muchspace as one of the upright structures. The parts may be secured infolded position by means of a small hook or hooks a, which extend upthrough the bottom, and which may be turned to engage one of the wiresD.

For the purpose of securing the coop in its upright position braces Hare provided. The braces consist each of a rod or stilf wire looselyconnected at its ends to small staples in the bottom of the coop andhaving the converging oblique arms h, united byahook portion t', havingtherein an eye 7'. These braces, one on each side, when the coop is infolded position, lie fiat on the bottom of the coop. When the coop isupright, they are turned up against the sides, the hook portion 11entering a slot 7t in the side pieces 0 of the top, in which they may besecured by pins 70'. In this position 7 they cause the coop to beperfectly rigid.

A door K may be formed in the top by cutting away the central portionsof some of the wires D and hinging therein a small gate, as shown.

The above-described coop is of simple and inexpensive construction, aswill be observed, and forms a very convenient article for the purposefor which it is designed.

Having described this invention, what I claim, and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s-- 1. The herein-described folding poultrycoop ofrectangular form, said coop comprising the bottom A, having thelongitudinal strips on a at its lateral edges, the top and sides formedof the angular Wires D D, having the upper horizontal portions d and thevertical arms E E, loosely engaging the strips or a at their lower ends,the top strips 0 0, running parallel and longitudinally of the coop andspaced from each other on the portions 61 of the angular Wires, the endsF F, consisting each of a series of wires bent into elongated U shapeand pivotally connected to the bottom and to end Wires 0 of the top, andmeans for locking the parts in both upright and folded position,substantially as specified.

2. The hereindescribed folding poultryooop, comprising the rectangularbottom of thin material reinforced by the longitudinal edge strips (1 aand the under battens b, the top B, consisting of the parallellongitudinal strips 0 c, spaced from each otheron horizontal portions d,a series of angular wires D, the vertical arms E E of said angular wiresloosely engaging the strips a a of the bottom and forming the sides ofthe coop, the elongated U-shaped wires forming the ends of the coop andloosely connected to the bottom of the coop and to transverse end Wires0 O of the top, the braces H for securing the coop in upright position,said braces consisting of stiff wire loosely connected at its ends tostaples in the bottom of the coop and having upwardly-converging obliquearms h, united by a hook-eye designed to engage slots in the side strips0, and the small hooks for securing the parts in their folded positions,all substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof Iaftix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH E. MARQUIS. Witnesses:

SARAH O. HENRY, W. O. PERRIN.

